Saudi PMI rises 4.5 points to 58.6 points, highest level in 12 years: IHS Markit

05/10/2021 Argaam Special

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The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) in Saudi Arabia hit its highest level in 12 years, increasing 4.5 points to 58.6 points in September, compared to 54.1 points in August, according to IHS Markit.

The reading indicated a robust improvement in non-oil operating conditions since August 2015.

 

The growth rate for new businesses rose to its strongest level in seven years, the index compiler said in a report, noting that easing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on activities and travel led to a strong increase in customer demand, helping companies expand production at the highest rate since May.

 

Expectations for future business activity improved to their strongest levels year-to-date, but employment growth remained weak as companies continued to report sufficient capacity levels.

 

In addition, companies were able to expand their inventories of inputs sharply, despite the softest increase in buying activity for six months. However, they were helped by reducing supplier lead times; meaning that inputs arrived more quickly after August data pointed to some delivery delays.

 

PMI in Saudi Arabia Since 2019*

Month

Index (Points)

Change (points)

Change (%)

January 2019

56.2

 --

--

February

56.6

0.4

0.7 %

March

56.8

0.2

0.4 %

April

56.8

--

--

May

57.3

0.5

0.9 %

June

57.4

0.1

0.2 %

July

56.6

(0.8)

(1.4%)

August

57.0

0.4

0.7 %

September

57.3

0.3

0.5 %

October

57.8

0.5

0.9 %

November

58.3

0.5

0.9 %

December

56.9

(1.4)

(2.4%)

January 2020

54.9

(2.0)

(3.5%)

February

52.5

(2.4)

(4.4%)

March

42.4

(10.1)

(19.2%)

April

44.4

2.0

4.7 %

May

48.1

3.7

8.3 %

June

47.7

(0.4)

(0.8%)

July

50.0

2.3

4.8 %

August

48.8

(1.2)

(2.4%)

September

50.7

1.9

3.9 %

October

51.0

0.3

0.6 %

November

54.7

3.7

7.3 %

December

57.0

2.3

4.2 %

January 2021

57.1

0.1

0.2 %

February

53.9

(3.2)

(5.6%)

March

53.3

(0.6)

(1.1%)

April

55.2

1.9

3.6 %

May

56.4

1.2

2.2 %

June

56.4

--

--

July

55.8

(0.6)

(1.1%)

August

54.1

(1.7)

(3.0%)

September

58.6

4.5

8.3 %

*Month-on-month change.

 

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